*

and i never want to again,  [  he speaks genuinely,  an apologetic expression.  ]  you always see the good in everybody.  that’s a gift,  mj.  

@guiltlead,    …  it’s  okay.   you’ve  never  yelled  at  me  like  that  before.

@grphnature,   *  she  lets  the  awkward  moment  blow  over  with  a  smile  on  her  face,   looking  around  the  library.  *    i  recently  finished  the  book  i’ve  been  reading  and  i  need  a  new  one,  but  im  not  sure  what  yet..   any  recommendations?

okay, cool, mj it is then. [a small smile, awkwardly pointing finger guns at the kid. she cringes, letting her hands fall in shame,] uh, anyway, you looking for anything specific? i can help. i’m the new librarian here. 

@grphnature,   yeah,   that’s  normally  what  i  go  by..  in  school  and  stuff.   i  feel  like  mary  jane  is  so  formal.  

@familyguilt,   maybe  he  had  it  covered  this  time,   but  what  about  next  time?   he’ll  work  himself  to  death,  and  that’s  not  fair.   it’s  not  fair  that  it  all  is  his  problem.   and  if  dad  can  help,   why  shouldn’t  we  let  him?   *  she  speaks  calm  and  level  headed,  not  wanting  this  to  turn  into  a  heated  argument.  *

maybe he shouldn’t have come at all.  [  she snapped at her sister,  clearly overwhelmed by emotions.  she felt betrayed and left out by her own siblings keeping these things from her,  ]  nate had it covered.  do you think we wouldn’t be okay?

@familyguilt,   no..  if  i  told  you  then  you  would  have  told  nate  and  dad  wouldn’t  have  come.   we  needed  /help./   you  didn’t  see  what  i  saw,  okay?  bills  and  bills  piling  up.  

i understand.  [  he nods,  ]  i’m sure it’ll take time. i sort of .. expected this to happen.  at least nate’s reaction.  i got a hotel to stay at. 

@townbolter,   *  she  smiles  a  little,  happy  to  be  compared  to  her  mom.  *   everyone  deserves  forgiveness.   that  doesn’t  mean  i  wasn’t  upset.

you’re more forgiving than your siblings.  i don’t deserve it,  [  his hand taps on the table,  ]  you’re like your mom in that way. 

well you definitely learned a lesson today.  [  he opens up the passenger door for her,  ]   was it a full on brawl?  did the other kids come watch? 

@guiltlead,   yes  please.   i  didnt  know  my  hand  would  hurt  too  :/    she  must  just  have  a  hard  head. 

[  he’s unable to believe it,  almost laughing  ]  is it bad to say i’m kind of .. proud of you?  for sticking up for yourself - and the family.  [  he says,  ]  but let’s get you an ice pack. 

i know but you shouldn’t be getting too much in trouble.  [  she lightly scolds her,  taking a drag from her joint,  exhaling as she blows the smoke away from her younger sister,  ]  / but / i’m glad you did it.    [  a small grin  ]  otherwise,  i would’ve done it.  ..you just need to meet the right people.

@familyguilt,    it  was  right.   she  has  to  be  insane  if  she  thinks  talking  about  her  in  front  of  me  like  that  is  ok.   why  are  people  so  mean.

@grphnature,   well..   yeah.   i  don’t  think  i  was  named  after  spiderman  though.   but  that  would  be  pretty  sick,   right?   

@familyguilt  ily bff

um - YES!  i would love to!  

@grldinner,   i  really  could,  she’s  so  energetic  i  don’t  know  what  to  do.  do  you  want  to  meet  her?

of course! i figured you could use some cat toys.  i’ve got one,  she’s gray with white paws.  

[  he waves a hand dismissively,  wishing that she never saw it in the first place.  he liked to think he had everything under control— wanting to give the best he could to his sisters.  ]  you don’t have to do that.  you already help a ton by cleaning up around the house. 

@guiltlead,    *  she  nods,  a  worried  expression  on  her  face.  *   yeah..   yeah  you’re  right.   i  mean..  i  could  try  and  get  a  job  maybe?  to  help  out?

[  he sighs,  a hand running through his hair  ]  we’ll be okay.  i’m just waiting on a paycheck that will take care of all of this.  [  he assures,  ]  we haven’t lost power or anything before,  right?  and there’s a roof above our heads.  that’s all that matters.